Surrounded by Medieval walls, entering the city of Dubrovnik is like stepping back in time. Once inside, you’ll first visit the historic Dominican monastery, followed by a stop at the picturesque Franciscan monastery—home to the third oldest European pharmacy, open continuously since 1317. Next on the agenda is Onofrio’s Fountain, a 16 sided drinking fountain built in 1438, and still in operation today. Finally, the ornate beauty of Rector’s Palace provides a perfect exclamation point to the rich culture of this ancient city.

Located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, the ancient city of Split represents the historical and cultural magnificence of Croatia’s storied past. Perhaps the most splendid and well-known attraction to be seen in this enchanting city is Diocletian’s Palace. Finished in 305 AD, the Palace today represents the world’s most complete remains of a Roman Palace. Further heightening your experience is a visit to Peristil Square, coupled with a stop at the impossibly beautiful Cathedral of St. Duje. As a true testament to the importance of the historic center of Split, the entire area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

The Zadar Sea Organ is exactly what its name implies: a real musical instrument built into Zadar’s harbor and played by the lapping waves of the Adriatic Sea. With roughly 35 organ pipes built into the concrete, the Sea Organ can be heard by passersby and offers the listener a truly unique aural experience each and every time.

One of Croatia’s biggest attractions, Plitvice Park is known for its grand collection of waterfalls, lakes and forests. You’ll be entranced by the continually changing colors of the park’s sixteen lakes, and you’ll feel at peace as you soak in the natural beauty of the region. The park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, a tribute to its unique and stunning beauty.

The first thing you need to know about Ljubljana is how to pronounce it: Lee-yoob-lee-yana. Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about everything else this Slovenian capital city has to offer. True to its historical significance, the Old Town center of Ljubljana remains intact despite two major earthquakes over the past 500 years. The rebuilding process did however create a unique blend of architectural works, as evidenced by the varied styles of the St. Nicholas Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, The Triple Bridge and The Dragon Bridge—the latter of which is nicknamed “mother-in-law” due to the fearsome dragons on its four corners.

One of the lesser known, yet equally enchanting cities of Italy is the charming seaside village of Trieste. Featuring spectacular views, stunning architecture, a warm and welcoming culture and a storied history, a visit to Trieste is filled with pleasant surprises. From the many museums, castles and cathedrals to the pubs, trattorias and plazas, Trieste offers something for everyone.

Bubbling up on more than 100 islands in a lagoon off the Adriatic, Venice is an absolutely unique and unquestionably beautiful city. The weight of its opulent architecture – bulbous domes, gothic spires, and lacy marble – may be sinking the city by 10 inches a century, but your local guide will make sure you don’t sink out of sight as you tour the intricate labyrinth of streets and bridges. Step into Piazza San Marco, an airy expanse of arches, sunlight, and pigeons. The multi-domed Basilica on one end, completed in 1094 but decorated for centuries afterward, is the final resting place of the apostle St. Mark, Venice’s patron saint. The mosaics beneath the basilica’s outside arches depict the arrival of St. Mark’s body, stolen from Egypt in 828 by Venetian traders. The frothy Venetian Gothic Doge’s Palace stands next door. Continue on to a glass-blowing demonstration. Venetian glass has long been considered the best in the world, and its production was such a state secret that during the Middle Ages, any Venetian glassblower who attempted to ply his trade outside the city was immediately arrested.

Baroque-en hearted? Revive your spirits with a walk past Rome's most beautiful and unusual Baroque fountains. At the foot of the Spanish Steps, elegant cafes once favored by visiting Brits and Americans surround the central fountain. The water pressure here was so low that the artist had to sink the fountain into the ground to get any water going through it, so he went ahead and designed the fountain to look like a sinking ship. There's no shortage of water pressure at the nearby Trevi Fountain, a Baroque extravagance designed by master sculptor Bernini. At the Pantheon, you'll see the largest concrete dome ever constructed. An oculus, or hole, in the dome lets sunlight into the beautiful temple, dedicated to all the gods.

Gods and gladiators, glory and gore. Ancient Rome lives on in its spectacular monuments, flavoring the frenetic present with tastes of the past. Don a space-age Whisper headset to get the inside scoop on the most spectacular, the Colosseum, a grisly battle arena that seated more than 45,000. An enormous retractable roof awning system kept spectators cool on sunny days. The nearby Forum provides a glimpse into everyday ancient life, with markets, meeting places, and temples all combined into one vast space. Move into Christian Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica, the triumphal Renaissance church flanked by rows of columns radiating outward like welcoming arms. Within the church Michelangelo’s masterpieces are on display, the “Pietà” in the main church and the recently restored ceiling frescoes and “Last Judgment” in the Sistine Chapel. Continue your trek through time at Piazza Venezia, site of the enormous monument to Victor Emmanuel II, Italy’s first king, and of the Palazzo Venezia, where Mussolini set up his headquarters and from whose porch his mother was said to eavesdrop on citizens below. (The Sistine Chapel is closed on most religious holidays and Sundays, except for the last Sunday in each month).

Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided

Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa. Please visit our Fees FAQ page for a full list of items that may not be included in the cost of your tour.